Volaris
{{Short description|Mexican low-cost airline}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Volaris
| logo = Volaris-logo.svg
| logo_size = 250
| image = N531VL Volaris Airbus A320-271N s-n 7626 (38892933654).jpg
| image_size = 250
| traded_as = {{BMV|VOLAR|30023}}
{{NYSE|VLRS}}
| fleet_size = 138
| destinations = 69{{Cite web |title=Volaris on ch-aviation |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/VOM |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=ch-aviation |language=en}}
| IATA = Y4
| ICAO = VOI
| callsign = VOLARIS
| parent = Vuela Compañia de Aviación
| founded = {{start date and age|2005|08|}}
| commenced = {{start date and age|2006|03|13|df=y}}
| revenue = {{increase}} US$3,259 million (2023)
| net_income = {{increase}} US$223 million (2023){{cite web |url=https://ir.volaris.com/es/informacion-financiera/reportes-trimestrales/ |title=Quarterly Reports |language=es |publisher=Volaris |access-date=July 4, 2024 }}
| num_employees = 7,198 (2023)
| subsidiaries = {{ubl|
| {{nowrap|Volaris Costa Rica}}
| {{nowrap|Volaris El Salvador}}}}
| headquarters = Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City, Mexico
| key_people = {{nowrap| Enrique Beltranena (CEO)}}
| bases = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| Cancún
| Culiacán
| Mexicali
| Tijuana}}
| hubs =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = VClub
| alliance =
| website = {{URL|www.volaris.com}}
}}
Volaris (legally Concesionaria Vuela Compañía de Aviación S.A.B. de C.V.) is a Mexican low-cost airline based in Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City with its operating bases in Cancún, Culiacán, Guadalajara, León/Del Bajío, Mexicali, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Tijuana. It is Mexico's largest airline by transported passengers{{Cite web|title=Mexico Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Airline Statistics Summary|url=https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/924046/resumen-mayo-2024-27062024.xlsx|access-date=2024-07-19}} and serves domestic and international destinations within the Americas. It is the leading airline in the Mexican domestic airline market with a market share of 42%.{{Cite web |title=Aeromexico leverages a unique position in Mexico's aviation market |url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/aeromexico-leverages-a-unique-position-in-mexicos-aviation-market-643184 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation |language=en}}
History
The pre-operations phase, the founding of the legal entities and setting up of the required infrastructure, started in August 2005 under the name Vuela Airlines. The idea for the airline was formed from the proposed "Vuelamex" project.{{cite web| url=https://www.icao.int/Meetings/STA10/Documents/List_LCCs.pdf | title=LIST OF POSSIBLE LCCs (PRELIMINARY COMPILATION)}} Major initial shareholders of the company were Grupo Televisa (the world's biggest Spanish-language media conglomerate), Inbursa (an insurance company owned by multi-billionaire Carlos Slim), TACA Airlines and the Discovery Americas Fund. Each of these partners invested 25% of the initial cost of activities, or 100 million USD.
In July 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/19/344796/indigo-partners-buys-stake-in-mexicos-volaris.html|title=Indigo Partners buys stake in Mexico's Volaris|publisher=Flightglobal.com|date=2010-07-19|access-date=2013-05-12}} it was announced that Televisa and Inbursa had sold their stake in Volaris leaving the ownership of Volaris as follows: TACA Airlines with Roberto and Maria Cristina Kriete (50%), Investment fund Discovery Americas (over 25%) and Indigo Partners: Fund led by former America West CEO Bill Franke.
Ticket sales started in January 2006. Following the delivery of the airline's first aircraft, the first non-commercial flight was operated in February 2006. Scheduled revenue flights were launched on March 13, 2006, with the inaugural flight being between Toluca and Tijuana.
Volaris began service to Mexico City in September 2010 after absorbing flight routes from two defunct Mexican airlines, Aerocalifornia and Mexicana. In March 2011, the airline announced that its hub in Toluca would move to Guadalajara.
In June 2012, the airline launched a frequent flyer program called VClub.{{cite web|url=http://www.volaris.mx/es/conocenos/sala-de-prensa/volaris-lanza-vclub-su-nueva-membresia-con-las-tar/|title=Sala de prensa|publisher=volaris.mx|access-date=2013-05-12}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}} It is the membership program that provides special fares, offers, last minute travel deals and other perks. Customers can save up to 40% using the VClub membership. In June 2012, PayPal became a payment alternative for the airline, enabling customers to purchase tickets directly from the airline's website.{{cite web|url=http://www.volaris.mx/en/get-know-volaris/media-center/volaris-integra-paypal-como-medio-de-pago/|title=Media Center|publisher=volaris.mx|access-date=2013-05-12}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}} In September 2012, Volaris announced a codeshare partnership with a German airline, Condor. Passengers of Condor are able to fly to more international destinations.{{cite news|title=Press Release – Condor and the Mexican airline Volaris enter into partnership|url=http://www.condor.com/us/fileadmin/dam/pdf/tcf-us/06_The_Company/02_Press/Volaris_engl.pdf|access-date=12 November 2012|date=17 September 2012}}
On March 13, 2013, the airline celebrated its seventh anniversary, offering passengers 70% off all flights, it has done this every year since then.{{cite news|access-date=2018-11-02|title=Volaris celebrates 10-year anniversary with discounts|first=Andrea|last=Leinfelder|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Volaris-celebrates-10-year-anniversary-with-6885314.php|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=11 March 2016}} Volaris announced the creation of a subsidiary, Volaris Costa Rica, in March 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/44722-volaris-sets-up-costa-rican-unit-eyes-2h-launch|title=Volaris sets up Costa Rican unit; eyes 2H launch|work=ch-aviation|date=18 March 2016|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/533339739|title=Los precios para volar entre Centroamérica serán los más bajos|work=La República|date=15 March 2016|access-date=6 December 2016|author=Rodríguez, Raquel|language=es|trans-title=The fares to fly in Central America will be the lowest}} The subsidiary, based at Juan Santamaría International Airport in the Costa Rican capital of San José, started operations in November 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/51306-volaris-costa-rica-commences-operations|title=Volaris Costa Rica commences operations|work=ch-aviation|date=2 December 2016|access-date=6 December 2016}}
As of 2022, Volaris has faced multiple class-action lawsuits due to failure to properly refund flights canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Steven |title=Volaris Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Denied COVID-19 Refunds |url=https://topclassactions.com/coronavirus-covid-19/volaris-class-action-lawsuit-alleges-denied-covid-19-refunds/ |website=topclassactions.com |date=13 April 2020 |access-date=21 October 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ilnd-1_20-cv-02215/pdf/USCOURTS-ilnd-1_20-cv-02215-0.pdf |title=Samantha Levey v. Volaris |website=govinfo.gov |date=March 29, 2021 |pages=1{{ndash}}16 |publisher=USCOURTS}}
International operations
In November 2008, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with U.S.-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines. In April 2009, Volaris announced the start of U.S.-bound flights out of Toluca and Guadalajara (initially to Los Angeles and Oakland) to feed into the hubs of Southwest Airlines. After Mexicana de Aviación's shutdown, Volaris took over many of Mexicana's international destinations and flights from its focus city, Guadalajara. The airline began using Guadalajara International Airport as an American gateway hub in late 2011.
In February 2013, Volaris and Southwest stopped codesharing. Southwest decided to focus more on the Mexican market with AirTran Airways, instead of codesharing with Volaris.{{cite web |url=http://www.southwest.com/mexico/ |title=Partnership Update |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=www.southwest.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507120019/http://www.southwest.com/mexico/ |archive-date=May 7, 2013}}{{cite web| url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/southwest-and-volaris-to-end-partnership-382084/|title=Southwest and Volaris to end partnership – 2/7/2013|publisher=Flight Global| date=2013-02-07|access-date=2014-02-10}} In January 2018, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with American low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines.
Corporate affairs
= Business trends =
The key trends for Volaris are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):{{Cite web |title=Annual reports |url=https://ir.volaris.com/financial-information/annual-reports/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Volaris IR |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Quarterly results |url=https://ir.volaris.com/financial-information/quarterly-results/ |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=Volaris}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! !Revenue !Net income !Number of !Number of !Passenger !Number !Fleet size !References |
| style="text-align:left;"|2013
|994 |20 |2,692 |8.9 |82.6 |80 |44 |
| style="text-align:left;"|2014
|954 |41 |2,805 |9.8 |82.2 |130 |50 |
| style="text-align:left;"|2015
|1,057 |143 |3,304 |11.9 |82.3 |143 |56 |
| style="text-align:left;"|2016
|1,138 |170 |4,550 |15.0 |85.8 |164 |69 |{{Cite web |title=Volaris Annual Report 2016 |url=https://api.mziq.com/mzfilemanager/v2/d/ea52c1bb-e8e2-457e-820a-98ca17753a37/de1af543-6527-49bf-8896-6f472a5846c1?origin=2 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Volaris}}{{Cite web |title=Volaris Form 6-K |url=https://api.mziq.com/mzfilemanager/v2/d/ea52c1bb-e8e2-457e-820a-98ca17753a37/76bf4e14-9933-7fb6-1233-3ce883e925f4?origin=1 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=Volaris}} |
| style="text-align:left;"|2017
|1,259 |−30 |4,916 |16.4 |84.4 |174 |71 |
| style="text-align:left;"|2018
|1,387 |−35 |4,600 |18.4 |84.5 |187 |77 |
| style="text-align:left;"|2019
|1,844 |140 |4,950 |21.9 |85.9 |190 |82 |
| style="text-align:left;"|2020
|1,111 |−191 |4,846 |14.7 |79.9 |209 |86 |
| 2021
|2,170 |106 |6,714 |24.4 |84.7 |183 |101 |
| 2022
|2,847 |−80.2 |7,364 |31.0 |85.6 |197 |117 |
| 2023
|3,259 |7.8 |7,198 |33.5 |86.0 |211 |129 |{{Cite web |title=Volaris Annual Report / 20-F 2023 |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001520504/000110465924054211/vlrs-20231231x20f.htm |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=www.sec.gov |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Volaris FY2023 Earnings Release |url=https://api.mziq.com/mzfilemanager/v2/d/ea52c1bb-e8e2-457e-820a-98ca17753a37/ef0f21b7-4476-3c16-3248-afe73e4675b5?origin=1 |website=Volaris}} |
=Headquarters=
The airline is headquartered in Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City."[http://www.volaris.com.mx/en/site-information/privacy-notice/ Information about Volaris] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20160409043330/http://www.volaris.com.mx/en/site-information/privacy-notice/ |date=2016-04-09 }}." Volaris. Retrieved in April 9, 2016. "Antonio Dovalí Jaime, No. 70, Torre B, Piso 13, Colonia Zedec Santa Fe, Delegación Álvaro Obregón, C.P. 01210, México, Distrito Federal," It formerly had its headquarters on the first floor of Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 in Peña Blanca, Santa Fe."[http://contenido.volaris.com.mx/SWA/Skins/VolarisSWA/es-MX/Contactenos.html Contáctanos] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016100332/http://contenido.volaris.com.mx/SWA/Skins/VolarisSWA/es-MX/Contactenos.html|date=2013-10-16}}." Volaris. Retrieved on December 4, 2010. "Dirección de oficinas Volaris – Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 piso 1 Col. Santa Fe Peña Blanca México DF, Delegación Álvaro Obregón C.P. 01210"
=Services=
Volaris cabins are configured in a single class, high density layout.
Volaris does not provide complimentary meals or drinks on its flights. Passengers may purchase items on board from the "Entre nubes" buy on board program.{{cite web|url=https://cms.volaris.com/globalassets/pdfs/esp/menu-volaris-v20_2019.pdf|title=Entre Nubes: El mejor sabor en el aire|work=Volaris}} Onboard sales are an important part of the airline's ancillary revenue. Items such as snacks, pillows, blankets and Volaris-branded items are sold on board.{{cite web|url=https://cms.volaris.com/es/informacion-util/servicios-opcionales/|title=Opcionales para tu viaje: Menú a bordo|work=Volaris}} Volaris' monthly inflight magazine is called "V de Volaris".{{cite web|url=https://www.volarismagazine.com/contact-us/|title=V DE VOLARIS CONTACTO|work=V de Volaris Magazine}}
The airline had previously provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) in most aircraft, utilizing drop-down screens on its Airbus aircraft. By 2019, all use of IFE had been discontinued.{{cite web|url=https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/50053025/how-to-fly-volaris/|title=The Volaris Inflight Experience|work=Airfarewatchdog|date=11 February 2019}}
=Frequent flyer program=
VClub is Volaris' frequent flyer program. It gives members exclusive deals on flights, baggage and packages. The airline offers individual and group memberships, with the option to pay monthly or annually. Volaris offers VPass, similar to Spirit's "$9 Fare Club". It offers a set subscription price, and charges customers only for taxes and additional services.{{cite web|url=https://vpass.volaris.com/en-us/y4/subscriptions|title=Every month, a new saving opportunity.|work=Volaris}} Customers can book codeshare flights and earn points through fellow ultra-low-cost carrier, Frontier Airlines.{{cite web|url=https://news.flyfrontier.com/worlds-first-ultra-low-cost-airline-codeshare-agreement-announced-between-two-brands-us-based-frontier-airlines-and-mexicos-volaris/|title=World's First Ultra-Low-Cost Airline Codeshare Agreement Announced Between Two Brands: U.S.-Based Frontier Airlines and Mexico's Volaris|work=Frontier Airlines|date=16 January 2018|access-date=January 16, 2018}}
=Corporate identity=
File:Volaris A320-271N (XA-VRW) at CJS.jpg
File:Airbus A320-232(w) ‘N520VL’ Volaris (27824039144).jpg in its former livery version]]
==Trivia==
- Two Volaris safety videos were made: one featured actress Claudia Lizaldi"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rmfsn1pCAw Video de seguridad Volaris.mov]." Volaris Official YouTube. Retrieved on November 4, 2010. while one featured young children demonstrating the safety procedures.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfffbkNwmPY |title=Video de seguridad Volaris con niños |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2013-05-12}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} As of 2018, both videos have been retired.
- Every new plane has a person's name on it, for example, one plane may have "Samuel" written on it, while another plane may have "Luisa" written on it. Recently, some planes have been named after families, e.g. ""Los Capistrán", or after new countries they begin service to, e.g. "Guatemala".
==Brand image==
The Volaris logo, since its launch in 2005, has been a colorful, pixelated star against a black background.{{cite web|title=Volaris Y4 - Flights, Reviews & Cancellation Policy|url=https://www.kayak.com/Volaris.Y4.airline.html|access-date=2021-11-06|website=KAYAK|language=en-us}} It represents the north star, Polaris, from which the airline's name is derived.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/460070918153806156/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id=%7B%7Bdefault.session%7D%7D&from_amp_pin_page=true |title=www.volaris.com.mx MEXICO | Airline logo, Vector logo, Volaris airlines |publisher=Pinterest.ie |date= |accessdate=2022-08-24}}
==Advertising slogans==
Volaris has used several slogans over the years:
- 2005–2008 – "Lo quieres, lo tienes" (You want it, you got it.){{cite web|url=https://viajala.com/aerolineas/vuelos-con-volaris-Y4|title = VUELOS con Volaris desde $ 108 en VIAJALA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7RRgxvZT7A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/D7RRgxvZT7A |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title = Comerciales mexicanos: Volaris 2006|website = YouTube|date=30 September 2018 }}{{cbignore}}
- 2008–2012 – "Vive viajando" (Live travelling){{cite web|url=https://expansion.mx/especiales/los-monstruos-de-la-mercadotecnia-2008/volaris-un-vuelo-de-bautismo|title=Volaris, un vuelo de bautismo|date=10 November 2008}}
- 2013–2017 – "Tu decides" (You decide). Launched after the introduction of the "clean fare", which no longer included the cost of food, baggage, or seat selection in the airline's ticket prices.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volaris-launches-its-program-entre-nubes-offering-food-beverages-and-products-to-improve-the-on-board-experience-for-its-customers-234521531.html|title=Volaris launches its program "Entre Nubes" offering food, beverages and products to improve the on board experience for its customers|website=www.prnewswire.com}}
- 2015 – "Queremos que todo el mundo vuele" (We want the whole world to fly){{cite web| url=http://s21.q4cdn.com/752131891/files/doc_financials/2015/Volaris-Informe-Anual-2015.pdf | title=Fortaleciendo Nuestra Red - Anual 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019062831/http://s21.q4cdn.com/752131891/files/doc_financials/2015/Volaris-Informe-Anual-2015.pdf | archive-date=2021-10-19 | language=es}}
- 2015–present – "Precios que te hacen viajar" (Prices that make you travel){{cite web|url=https://www.sloganlist.com/airlines-slogans/Volaris-Slogans.html|title = Volaris Slogan - Slogans for Volaris - Tagline of Volaris - SloganList}}
- 2016 – "Avión a precio de camión" (The plane at the price of a bus){{cite web|url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b14z9qqhzk5z4r/volaris-ceo-eyes-rapid-growth-in-us-trump-notwithstanding|title = Volaris CEO Eyes Rapid Growth in U.S., Trump Notwithstanding| date=6 April 2016 }}
- November 2018 – present – "Don't just fly, vuela"{{Cite web|url=https://www.trademarkelite.com/|title=DON'T JUST FLY. VUELA Trademark of Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V.. Serial Number: 88177585 :: Trademark Elite Trademarks|first=Trademark|last=Elite|website=www.trademarkelite.com}}
Destinations
File:Countries in which Volaris operates.svg
Volaris operates scheduled flights to Mexico and elsewhere in the Americas from its hubs at Guadalajara International Airport in Guadalajara, Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City, and Tijuana International Airport in Tijuana. Focus cities include Cancún International Airport in Cancún, Bajío International Airport in León, and Monterrey International Airport in Monterrey.
=Operating bases=
Volaris operates crew bases at the following airports:{{Cite web|url=https://pilotcareercenter.com/Air-Carrier-PCC-Profile/3116/Volaris|title=Volaris - PILOT CAREER CENTER|website=pilotcareercenter.com}}
=Interline agreements=
- Condor{{cite web|url=https://www.condor.com/us/fileadmin/dam/pdf/tcf-us/06_The_Company/02_Press/Volaris_engl.pdf|title=Condor and the Mexican airline Volaris enter into partnership|website=condor.com/us|access-date=October 17, 2012}}{{cite web | url = https://www.alternativeairlines.com/condor | title = Search & book flights with Condor | publisher = Alternative Airlines | access-date = February 28, 2024}}
Incidents
- On 8 December 2024, a passenger tried to enter the cockpit of a Volaris aircraft flying from Leon to Tijuana, forcing its diversion to Guadalajara, where the passenger was arrested after having been previously subdued by other passengers. The suspect said that he wanted to divert the aircraft to the United States after receiving a death threat from drug cartels.{{Cite web |title=Passenger who tried to force Mexican plane to fly to US said he was under threat by criminals |url=https://apnews.com/article/mexico-diverted-plane-leon-guanajuato-tijuana-guadalajara-f71e9b5e5f0f00780b91b1bf900f6b99 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Associated Press |date=10 December 2024 |language=en-US}}
Fleet
=Current fleet=
{{As of|2025|4}}, Volaris operates an all-Airbus A320 family fleet composed of the following aircraft:{{Cite web |title=Volaris Fleet Details |url=https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Volaris.htm |access-date=April 8, 2025 |website=airfleets.net}}
=Fleet development=
- Volaris became the first North American operator of the Airbus A320neo aircraft in September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2016/09/airbus-delivers-north-america-s-first-a320neo-to-volaris.html|title=Airbus delivers North America's first A320neo to Volaris|publisher=Airbus|date=12 September 2016|access-date=12 October 2016}}
- In November 2017, during the Dubai Airshow, Indigo Partners announced an order for 430 aircraft of the Airbus A320neo family of which 80 will be for Volaris as follows: 46 Airbus A320neo aircraft and 34 Airbus A321neo aircraft.{{cite web|url=http://enelaire.mx/airbus-anuncia-el-pedido-mas-grande-de-su-historia-430-aviones/|title=Airbus announces the largest order in its history: 430 aircraft|language=es|publisher=EnElAire |date=November 2017 |access-date=November 15, 2017}}
- In November 2021 during the Dubai Airshow, Volaris announced an order for 39 Airbus A321neo. An existing order for 20 Airbus A320neo aircraft was converted into A321neo.{{cite news|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/109723-uss-indigo-partners-orders-255-a321neo-family-jets|title=US's Indigo Partners orders 255 A321neo Family jets|language=en|newspaper=ch-aviation |date=November 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021}}
- On June 20, 2023, during the Paris Air Show, Volaris announced an order for 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category-inline|Volaris|Volaris}}
- {{Official website|https://www.volaris.com/}}
{{Portal bar|Mexico|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of Mexico}}
{{IATA members|latinam}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Companies based in Mexico City
Category:Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City
Category:Airlines established in 2005
Category:Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association
Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange